Ducks' Selanne needs oral surgery, out two weeks

The Ducks' Teemu Selanne is tended too by trainer Joe Huff and teammate Emerson Etem after being struck in the face during the third period Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. JIM McISAAC, GETTY IMAGES

BOSTON -- Ducks forward Teemu Selanne is returning to Anaheim to undergo oral surgery and is expected to be out for two weeks, the team said Wednesday.

Selanne had an existing bridge of front teeth knocked out on an inadvertent high stick by Philadelphia defenseman Luke Schenn early in the third period Tuesday night. The winger also needed 40 stitches to repair his mouth.

It is the latest injury to befall the Ducks, who have also lost forwards Jakob Silfverberg to a broken hand and Saku Koivu to a concussion within the past five days. Selanne accompained the team to their practice at Boston University but opted not to speak to the media.

"You hate to see it," Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau. "I just hate to see the whole teeth thing. Drives me nuts. It was a reckless use of the stick but what are you going to do."

Schenn caught a trailing Selanne with his stick as he went to battle in the corner with the Ducks' Emerson Etem. Selanne was assisted off the ice and did not return to the game.

Boudreau said there was no intention behind Schenn's play but clearly thought the defenseman could have handled his stick with more care. There was no penalty called.

"Hockey happens so fast," Boudreau said. "It was definitely not meant to hit him. But he could have had a little more control of his stick, which we're trying to get [into] the game. The players are in control of their stick. It's been called on us a couple times this year."

Selanne has three goals and four assists in the first 11 games of what he said will be his final season in the NHL. Center Nick Bonino shakes his head at the injuries that are piling up.

"It seems like it’s a guy every game," Bonino said. "We’re going to have to obviously pick up the slack of what he brings. It's too bad. We're going to miss him and his presence."

The Ducks continue to lose players but they do get winger Dustin Penner back into the lineup Thursday against Boston. Penner has missed the first five games of the road trip after suffering a concussion on a hit to the head by Dallas winger Ryan Garbutt.

"It’s always in the back of your mind, an injury like that," Penner said. "I was feeling pretty good. I was working and then you take that time off becuase you need your head to heal and you worry getting back to where you were.

"I think I’m there. I hope I am. The real test will be the next game I play."

It remains to be seen if Penner is put back on the top line with Patrick Maroon currently playing well alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. But the Ducks are off to another strong start because of the contributions they're getting on all four lines.

Kyle Palmieri figures to move up in the lineup after scoring twice in the third period Tuesday to rally his team to a 3-2 win over the Flyers. The Ducks are 7-0 in one-goal games and have 10 players with two goals or more.

"That’s one thing that enabled us to finish second in the league last year," Bonino said. "And it’s something that obviously wins games. We can match up against any team in this league.

"If you have all four lines going from top to bottom [and] especially producing, you're a tough team to beat."

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.